How to avoid internet recovery when booting a MacBook?

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How to avoid internet recovery when booting a MacBook?

Hello! I have a MacBook Pro 13 late 2019, which I'm trying to format to clear reinstall macOS Monterey.

First, I've made a bootable installer (flash drive) using another Mac. Second, I used the flash drive to run Disk Utility and format the SSD. Third, I started reinstalling Monterey from the flash drive. But then the install crashed in the middle due to an error in the flash drive, as accused by the system.

I've made a new bootable installer using another flash drive, and tried to boot my MacBook from it, but it's not working properly. After booting with the OPT key pressed, I see only the flash drive as a boot option. Then I connect to my wi-fi, select the flash drive, and double click it.

Instead of entering the system recovery screen from the flash drive, my MacBook goes to the Internet Recovery screen and starts this other processes. Unfortunately, the internet recovery also crashes after ca. 10 min (error 2100F).

How can avoid entering the internet recovery and instead going directly to the bootable installer screen? Thanks!

Posted on Oct 13, 2022 2:30 AM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Oct 13, 2022 2:45 AM in response to morceg@o

This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.

>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer.

The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer

This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example Only : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.

Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.

Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.

Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.

About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting

1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.

2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive.

3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives.

4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).

5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above.

6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS.

7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time.

8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

9 - There is no need or requirement for an Internet Connection during the above 8 steps above

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Oct 14, 2022 1:57 AM in response to morceg@o

Yup that was going to the Last Resort >> Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware / Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Let us know the outcome - if time allows

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Oct 13, 2022 6:17 AM in response to morceg@o

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip

1 - Open Startup Security Utility

Turn on your Mac, then press and hold Command (⌘)-R immediately after you see the Apple logo. Your Mac starts up from macOS Recovery.
When you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password.
When you see the macOS utilities window, choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility from the menu bar.
When you're asked to authenticate, click Enter macOS Password, then choose an administrator account and enter its password.

If that does not work ( Head Scratching )--- >>

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator

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Answer 4

morceg@o Author

Level 1

48 points

Oct 14, 2022 1:24 AM in response to Owl-53

Thank you! Unfortunately, it didn't work. I cannot access "normal" Recovery, the system goes directly to Internet Recovery. Even the bootable flash drive goes to Internet Recovery, after being accessed. It looks like I'll have to take this MacBook to a service point.

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Answer 5

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Oct 13, 2022 3:53 AM in response to morceg@o

This machine ? MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications (CA)

Computers that have the Apple T2 Security Chip

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip

EDITED

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Answer 6

morceg@o Author

Level 1

48 points

Oct 13, 2022 3:00 AM in response to Owl-53

Thank you for the reply, P.Philips. That's exactly how I usually format my Macs, whenever there is a major OS update available. However, it didn't work this time. The problem is precisely at step 3, as described by you: my MacBook never gets to this screen with the options from the bootable flash drive. Actually, in the first attempt, it got to this screen. But there was an error in the first bootable flash drive, so the reinstall process crashed. How can I avoid getting to the internet recovery screen and instead go to this screen with options from the bootable flash drive?

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Answer 7

morceg@o Author

Level 1

48 points

Oct 13, 2022 5:53 AM in response to Owl-53

Yes, that's my machine. How do I access those security options, after having formatted the SSD? Is it still possible?

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Answer 8

morceg@o Author

Level 1

48 points

Oct 14, 2022 2:02 AM in response to Owl-53

Sure! The minimum I can do to show my gratitude towards our community is to share a possible solution. Thank you very much for the help! 🙏🏽

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Answer 9

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Oct 14, 2022 2:05 AM in response to morceg@o

Welcome 🇨🇦

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Answer 10

morceg@o Author

Level 1

48 points

Oct 31, 2022 9:58 AM in response to Owl-53

Update: the TI technician from my department solved the problem by letting my Mac go through Internet Recovery while connected by cable. It looks like relying on wi-fi for that does not always work.

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Answer 11

Owl-53

Level 10

100,801 points

Nov 1, 2022 1:31 AM in response to morceg@o

Thank you for the update

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How to avoid internet recovery when booting a MacBook?

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